Author: Tessa Bailey (Page 1 of 2)

BOOK REVIEW: Pitcher Perfect (Big Shots #4) by Tessa Bailey

October 9, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Pitcher Perfect () by Tessa Bailey (Big Shots #4)
by Tessa Bailey
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Boston Bearcats rookie Robbie Corrigan is living the dream. He’s made it to the NHL, his best friend/teammate and fellow “orgasm donor” is his roomie—and the women of Boston love them both. Life is sweet. That is, until he meets Skylar Paige, division 1 softball pitcher, girl least likely to take anyone’s bull…and the one member of the opposite sex immune to his charms. Robbie might be dazzled by the badass pitcher, but Skylar pegs him as a filthy player and wants nothing to do with him.

When he discovers she’s carrying a serious torch for her brother’s best friend, Robbie knows he should just go back to clubbing and whipped cream bikini parties, but he can’t seem to leave Skylar to flounder on her romantic quest to land another man. Nor can he miss out on the opportunity to spend time with her and hopefully redeem himself. Before Robbie knows it, he’s agreed to be Skylar’s fake boyfriend/love coach at an upcoming family wilderness competition where her crush will be in attendance. What could go wrong?

Through a series of contests that require them to trust each other, Robbie and Skylar grow closer and closer until their fake relationship starts to feel like the realest thing they’ve ever known and the sizzling lessons in sensuality burn out of control.

But it’s all just pretend…right?

Review:

Pitcher Perfect was a fake dating, sports romance that easily became an instant favorite! With a story that you’ll quickly get lost in, characters that leapt from the pages, and an ending that will leave you beyond happy, it was effortless to love this story! If you’re a fan of forced proximity, only one bed, fake dating or sports romance, this is your book!

Fuck you, she mouthed at him.
A smile spread across his bearded face.
Oh. She couldn’t wait to strike this guy out.
This one’s for the girls.

Robbie Corrigan was someone I never took seriously. In the previous books, I only saw him as a player. Even though he was dedicated to hockey. Yet when Skylar walked into his life, everything changed. This story started in a scene you’ll remember vividly from Dream Girl Drama. The baseball game of hockey players against baseball players. And the pitcher going against Robbie and his team was Skylar Paige, D1 softball pitcher. She was also Elton’s sister. Right from the start, the banter and barbs from Robbi and Skylar were EVERYTHING! But Skylar had been in love with her brother’s best friend since she was 15. Robbie didn’t stand a chance. Or did he?

A Division 1 all-American pitcher who made fun of his shoes and implied she’d like to stab him with a hockey skate?
Hot. That was fucking hot.

Now while you don’t have to read the previous books in this series, I can’t recommend them enough. Watching the growth Robbie goes through was phenomenal! This book made me fall head over heels in love with him. His thoughts had me swooning and obsessed, his humor was so ridiculous, and he was such a caring guy. When he agreed to be Skylar’s date to make her brother’s best friend jealous, I was all in! Robbie plays to win, and I just knew he would win Skylar over!

Robbie leaning down and hovering his mouth a hair away from Skylar’s. Close enough to taste orange juice on her breath. “You’re fucking beautiful all the time, but especially when you laugh.”

Skylar was so easy to connect to. I loved that she helped bring out Robbie’s softer side and we got to see how caring and thoughtful he could be for her. So when she busted out her itinerary, I was screaming! Fake dating and lessons?! What unfolded was smile worthy and will have you falling in love with the both of them! Plus the jealousy was so fabulously done muahahahah! Skylar started out strongly disliking Robbie, he was just a means to an end. She wanted her brother’s best friend to notice and want her. But along the way, Robbie kept showing her again and again who he truly was. And that he had her back. So while there was so much fun in the pages, there were also emotional moments too. I couldn’t help but cry all the tears.

“I didn’t think anyone would see me,” she whispered, breath hitching.
“Really, Rocket?” Robbie labored through a few inhales, exhales. A few violent clenches of his heart. “Don’t you know I never stop looking at you?”

Pitcher Perfect was a story that will capture your heart! It was so easy to devour and I loved the dangerous game Skylar and Robbie played! Plus their nicknames were everything! Their love story officially became my favorite in this series! So if you’re looking for a beach read, curl up next to a fire read, or just a book that will make you happy, I can’t recommend this one enough! It was all the stars!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Other Favorite Quotes:

Robbie was a side character who’d walked into a love story already in progress.

She leaned forward, then way back in her chair. As if she comprehended where he was going with this line of questioning but wasn’t sure if Robbie was quite that crazy. Spoiler alert: he was.

Skylar took a very heavy gulp. Braced. “If you open my glove compartment, there’s a white leather planner. There’s a slip of paper folded in the middle. It’s an . . . itinerary. Of potential lessons, so to speak.”
He almost broke the glove compartment getting it open.

Robbie was already falling for Skylar. The only thing keeping him realistic and grounded about his chances was the fact that she loved someone else. But if he had attraction on his side? Hope opened doors. Hope made him feel like he had a shot.

“Skylar . . .” I overestimated my ability to hand you over to someone else. Someone better. With that truth ringing in his head, he turned to leave.

“At least come in for a beer.”
“Oh my God. No. I don’t want to see any girls in whipped cream bikinis. I only want to see Skylar in sweatpants.”
“You’ve been brainwashed,” Mailer whispered.

Halfway out into the hallway, he stopped.
Strode back to the bed and leaned down, drugging her with a kiss. A long, soul-searing kiss that closed her eyes involuntarily and squeezed the region south of her throat.
Oh dear.
“Consider me, Skylar.”

He’d set out to teach her how to attract and keep a man, but she’d ended up teaching him about himself, instead. What he valued most. Who he wanted to be.
Where he wanted to be and with whom.

Who could have guessed the girl whose first words to him were fuck you would end up becoming his everything?

BOOK REVIEW: The Au Pair Affair (Big Shots #2) by Tessa Bailey

July 23, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

The Au Pair Affair (Big Shots #2)
by Tessa Bailey
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Tallulah is smart, vivacious, and studying to be a marine biologist. She’s also twenty-six and broke. So when Burgess, a battle-scarred hockey veteran and newly single dad, offers her a job as his live-in nanny, she jumps at the opportunity to get paid while living in a super fancy neighborhood and being around Lissa, his cool but introverted tween.

Her tween charge isn’t the only one who could use some help fitting in, though. According to…well, everyone except Burgess, he needs to get back on the dating scene, and adventurous Tallulah is just the girl to show him how. But as boundaries are slowly crossed and Burgess finds himself pulled between his daughter, who wants her parents back together, and his insane chemistry with Tallulah, a huge rift is formed, and Tallulah does the “right” thing—breaks her own heart and walks away.

Though Burgess knows it’s for the best—he’s too jaded, with too much baggage—a chance meeting, and a new push from his daughter, forces him to put everything on the line and fight to prove he learned his lessons well and is worthy of a happily ever after with Tallulah.

Review:

The Au Pair Affair was a single dad, forced proximity, age gap, adult romance. My favorite thing about this book was watching Burgess slowly start to win Tallulah over. From being his nanny, to friend, to more. I loved watching the progression of their relationship. This was a feel-good book that made me so happy!

God, this woman ruled his dick and she had absolutely no idea. Maybe allowing her to move in was unethical.

Burgess was a professional hockey player, who was definitely starting to feel his age. So, while he could be burly on the ice, he was thoughtful and sensitive when it came to his daughter and new nanny, Tallulah. His honesty and intensity were two of the things that I loved most about him. Like when he would state physically what he wanted from her eeps!

“You could say I’m old-fashioned, sure.”
“It’s very mean Daddy of you,” she whispered.
Burgess’s eyebrows shot to his hairline. It’s what?”
“Ooh.” She winced. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

Tallulah was a much-needed light in Burgess’s life. The way she interacted with his daughter and helped Burgess and her talk warmed my heart. Yet, Tallulah guarded her heart. Her past was heartbreaking and I understood why she wanted to do her thing. And not be tied down in a relationship. Yet spending more and more time around Burgess, it was impossible for her not to fall for him.

“Give me a chance to show you that you’re safe with me.”

He was her boss. She was his nanny. Yet they both wanted each other desperately. So, Burgess and Tallulah had heart quickening chemistry! The tension between them simmered and when they crossed the line into more, it was scorching hot. Also, I adored the found family within these pages. Their best friends and his hockey team, also Chloe, added so much to this story! It made me laugh when they would offer advice, I was dying!

“Is she giving you any signs?”
“She gave me a massage last night in the kitchen.”
“Then I’d say you’ve got a fucking chance, my man. Especially if it was a dick massage.”
“It was a back massage, shithead. Jesus.”

If you’re looking for a beach read or a book to get lost in, I can’t recommend giving the Big Shot Series enough of a chance. I loved the first book, about Burgess and Tallulah’s best friends. And their own story was so much fun too. I can’t wait to see whose story is next, I have a guess and my fingers are crossed!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: Fangirl Down (Big Shots #1) by Tessa Bailey

July 23, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Fangirl Down (Big Shots #1)
by Tessa Bailey
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Wells Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life.

Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. Then a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split the prize money. And considering Josephine’s professional and personal life is in shambles, she could really use the cash…

As they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighboring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they’re inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff, growly exterior. This hot man wants to brush her hair, feed her snacks, and take bubble baths together? Is this real life? But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous… right?

Review:

Fangirl Down was a book that was so effortless to enjoy! This grumpy sunshine, adult, steamy, sports romance was a ton of fun! With moments that were laugh out loud hilarious and you just can’t stop smiling, mixed in with cheering on your favorite characters and hiding from embarrassment, this book had it all! I absolutely adored this story!

Her honesty was oxygen.
But breathing it? That part was terrifying.

I loved being in Josephine Doyle’s head, she was such a ray of happiness. It didn’t matter how much Wells Whitaker was being gruff and grumpy, Josephine was there to cheer him on every step of the way. And have his back. When she started to prove herself, I was clapping out loud! I was so proud of Josephine! The amount that she and Whitaker grew, from that first page to the last, was so entertaining!

“I have a new caddie,” Wells settled on, attempting to banish the thought of kissing the spirited redhead. “Something about the way she speaks about golf, my game in general, that makes me think . . . she could . . .” Make me love it again. “Make a difference.”

Wells Whitaker didn’t trust, let alone seem to like anyone. Yet it was impossible for him to keep Josephine from wiggling into his world. I loved getting to watch him trust her and listen to the wisdom she passed along. And his thoughts were everything! Whitaker could be such a marshmallow inside for Josephine, and such a fabulous dirty talker too!

For the first time in a long time, he wasn’t alone. He had a . . . friend.

Josephine and Whitaker together had the most pulse pounding chemistry. And their banter was so entertaining. So, when they crossed the line, it was scorching hot and so steamy *fans face*. Yet Josephine wanted to prove herself, and their struggle just added to the heart of this story. While there was a lot of fun in the pages, there were also emotional moments too. I couldn’t help but cry when Whitaker asked Josephine’s dad how to help her with something, sigh.

“I was very happy being alone until you showed up. You’ve ruined me.”
Her heart galloped in her chest. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. I love being ruined by you. Bring it the fuck on.”
He kissed Josephine hard, slanting his mouth across hers and licking deep, his fingers sliding up into her hair and fisting.

Within Fangirl Down, there were so many favorite moments, such as the fireworks, the piggyback ride, matching outfits, the kicked door and good girl. And then that epilogue was everything! I am so happy to have gotten to read this book and can’t recommend it enough!

BOOK REVIEW: Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey

February 12, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
From New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey comes a steamy novella full of hope and humor tracking a couple’s fake marriage for a year after the wild New Year’s Eve when they first say “I do.”

Adored by all, Britta is an ambitious waitress working at Sluggers. The popular bar holds a special place in her heart and is a regular hangout for the Bridgeport Bandits, the local hockey club. With a half brother on the team, Britta has a strict no-dating policy for hockey boys. But she does have a soft spot for one particular player.

A beast on the ice, Sumner Mayfield is on the brink of breaking into the NHL. But time’s running out. With his work visa about to expire, Sumner’s only chance to stay in Bridgeport is to marry an American—and get a green card. Otherwise, it’s back to Canada for the defenseman.

On New Year’s Eve, the team begs Britta to marry Sumner that very night. Sum is embarrassed yet hopeful—he’s desperately in love. But Britta balks at first. Until something about Sumner’s soulful brown eyes and ripped physique makes her reconsider…

Review:

Same Time Next Year was a steamy, marriage of convenience sports novella. I listened to the audiobook and not only adored the voices, but the story was so much fun too! I couldn’t stop smiling! I didn’t care how true to the facts this story was, or how over the top ridiculous it could be. For me what mattered was that I was attached to the characters and their connection and passion felt real. I easily got lost listening to their story!

He concedes this with a nod. “Maybe that’s true. But even if you’re strong alone, when someone wades into your lake and you feel something . . . if you choose to ignore it, maybe that strength is actually just something else in disguise.”
“Weakness?”
“Fear.”

Britta was so easy to listen to and like. Her half brother Bryce was a player on the local college hockey team, and she worked at a bar that they always hung out at. When she found out that Sumner was going to be sent back to Canada, she agreed to marry him since he was destined to go pro. Yet Sumner had the hugest crush on her, and I was wondering how long Britta would be able to hold off before she jumped in the sheets with him!

My wife is possessive.
Part of me wants to laugh out loud because the very idea that I could even consider another woman is so far outside the realm of possibility, she has no idea. What women? Where? I’m blind to every last one of them. There’s only Britta.

Sumner was the sweetest cinnamon roll ever! He was so kind and had it bad for Britta. I was obsessed with listening to his thoughts. They were hilarious and made me smile so much. And I loved how dedicated he was to wanting a family and how own happily ever after. It was refreshing. Yet Britta was wary of love and marriage because of her past. So as she started to open up to Sumner, it was heartwarming. Especially since Sumner saw Britta for who she truly was.

Holy fuck, my wife is so hot.

Sumner and Britta’s moments together that didn’t even seem to go anywhere could be so hot. The parking lot scene?! How can just kissing and touching be so erotic? Sigh. So when they did go further, it was sensual, detailed and so spicy! Tessa Bailey knows how to write steamy scenes! Mix that in with moments that had me screaming in joy, like the magazine haha! And this book was so easy to listen to. But keep in mind that this book was definitely filled with all the cheese, and all the my wife’s. It ended with a fabulous grand gesture and I can’t wait to read whatever Tessa Bailey releases next!

BOOK REVIEW: Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey

November 8, 2023 / Jen / 4 Comments

Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey delivers a sexy, hilarious standalone holiday rom-com about the adult children of two former rock stars who team up to convince their estranged mothers to play a Christmas Eve concert…

Melody Gallard may be the daughter of music royalty, but her world is far from glamorous. She spends her days restoring old books and avoiding the limelight (one awkward tabloid photo was enough, thanks). But when a producer offers her a lot of money to reunite her mother’s band on live tv, Mel begins to wonder if it’s time to rattle the cage, shake up her quiet life… and see him again. The only other person who could wrangle the rock and roll divas.

Beat Dawkins, the lead singer’s son, is Melody’s opposite—the camera loves him, he could charm the pants off anyone, and his mom is not a potential cult leader. Still, they might have been best friends if not for the legendary feud that broke up the band. When they met as teenagers, Mel felt an instant spark, but it’s nothing compared to the wild, intense attraction that builds as they embark on a madcap mission to convince their mothers to perform one last show.

While dealing with rock star shenanigans, a 24-hour film crew, brawling Santas, and mobs of adoring fans, Mel starts to step out of her comfort zone. With Beat by her side, cheering her on, she’s never felt so understood. But Christmas Eve is fast approaching, and a decades-old scandal is poised to wreck everything—the Steel Birds reunion, their relationships with their mothers, and their newfound love.

Review:

Wreck the Halls was a friends to lovers, famous, romance set around the holidays that was so much fun! While this story took me till almost 30%, chapter 10, to be completely pulled in, once it did I was hooked! With laugh out loud scenes, spicy moments, and a heartfelt love story, I enjoyed reading this story.

The woman had her and she knew it. To be in the same room with Beat Dawkins again . . . She wasn’t strong enough to pass up the chance. Melody shifted in her boots and tried not to sound too eager. “What time?”

Melody and Beat were the children of rock star royalty. Both of their moms had been in a band decades ago, that transcended time and was now popular again. Yet their moms had a falling out before they were even born. So when Melody and Beat first met as teenagers, awww it was smile worthy. Paparazzi seemed to be kind to him and horrific to her, and Beat made Melody feel seen and lifted her up. Yet when we jumped to present day, Beat seemed to be in a world of trouble. He was being blackmailed. So when a producer offered him a lot of money, to partake in a reality show to bring his mother’s band back together again, he knew that was the answer to his problems. And that he would get to spend time around Melody again.

He leaned down, brushing his lips against her forehead in what seemed like an unconscious gesture.

I absolutely loved Beat! He was kind, thoughtful, protective and swoon worthy. He seemed to have a wonderful family life with his parents, and was busy helping out with their charity and fundraiser work. Yet Beat had a secret which made him keep everyone at arm’s length. And that secret bled into his sexual life. I was thinking that it had to be something kinky, but nope I was way off base. It was a little different and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. But I was excited to see how Beat would learn to trust, especially when it came to Melody.

Touching her was like breathing.

Melody seemed to live a quiet life restoring books and seeing her mother once a year. But as she spend more time on the reality show, not only did Beat fall under her spell, but so did the world. I couldn’t stop smiling at how adorable and quirky Melody was. How relatable she could be. How easy she was to like. And I completely got how she was still crushing on Beat all those years later. How could she not?! But my favorite thing about Melody was feeling everything she did as the story unfolded. When she went to see her mother? I felt all the emotions. And I loved that we also got to watch her find her voice!

“I don’t know if I’m good for you, Mel.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” Melody shifted her hips, slowly turning in his lap until she was facing the front of the plane. She looked back at him over her shoulder and gave a slow roll of her lower body, memorizing the way his eyes darkened. “Are you going to let us find out?”

Melody and Beat felt like kindred spirits. Neither of them had true friends that they let in, because they were always second guessing why they were around them. Was it really for who they were? Or was it because of who each of their mothers were? So I loved that they felt that instant connection to each other. That they could talk and understand each other so well. That their friendship was so easily formed. And how later that friendship started to cross the line. Beat and Melody together were hot and seductive, even if their intimate talking was a little cheesy at times. Yet they definitely had some emotional healing to do. Melody with her mother. And Beat with himself. And while the third part breakup was inevitable, I just wanted them to get back together again ASAP. So the grand gesture was perfect and made my heart so happy!

“Oh, darling.” Sympathy shone in his mother’s eyes. “Didn’t I mention? She’s not being subtle about her feelings, either. Friends shmends.”
“It’s complicated,” he said, hoarsely.
“Are you in love with her?” His heart answered for him, pounding behind his jugular.
“Yes.”
Tempered joy flooded Octavia’s expression. “Then perhaps you should uncomplicate it.”

While this book is set counting down till Christmas, it doesn’t have a lot of Christmas feels within the pages. Besides snow, snowball fights and I’m truly blanking on what else, this was just a wonderful winter book. On top of loving Melody and Beat, there were side characters that I loved too. Melody was the producer and she seemed like a true friend to Melody. I loved that she had a little side romance story going on for her too! This story closed with a wonderful happily for now, and I’m so glad I picked this book up!